The Quebec Questionnaire of Representations related to Work Disability (QRWoD): Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability in French chronic low back pain workers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Addressing chronic low back pain (cLBP) from the point of view of representation allows better understanding the behaviors associated with it and thus improve its medical and socio-occupational management. The Quebec Questionnaire of Representations related to Work Disability (QRWoD) proposes an evaluation of 9 dimensions of the cLBP-related representation. OBJECTIVE: To translate and adapt the QRoWD to French language and assess its validity and reliability in French cLBP workers on prolonged sick leave. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from March 2017 to April 2018 in the Department of occupational health of the University Hospital of Angers, France. The QRWoD is a self-administered questionnaire (87 items) which assesses Identity, Acute/Chronic duration, Consequences, Personal Control, Treatment Control, Cyclical Timeline, Coherence, Emotional Representation and Causes dimensions. The Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and the convergent validity (Pearson correlations) in comparison to validated instruments for each dimension were assed. RESULTS: Fifty French workers (29 men, 43 ± 9.1 years, 293.6 ± 173.0 days of work absence) were included. The internal consistency (all α> 0.7) and the convergent validity (all r2> 0.25, p< 0.01) of each dimension were very satisfactory except for the Cyclical Timeline dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The French version of the QRoWD seems to be valid and relevant among the target population.